In this, his first collection of essays, Charach has gathered together essays that address the issues that keep him up at night, as a person and as a doctor. From a dark tallying up of the human toll of gun violence, to a more nuanced consideration of Jewish identity, along with a sprinkling of more humorous treatments of serious issues, this is an arresting and thought-provoking collection.

Ron Charach is a poet and practicing psychiatrist. Born in Winnipeg, he has lived in Toronto since 1980 with his wife Alice. They have two grown children now pursuing university educations.

Ron Charach's profile page

"He implicitly encourages us to read, to think, to feel, to seek understanding — and perhaps to speak out ourselves." - Canadian Medical Association Journal

"...Cowboys & Bleeding Hearts is a lucid and provocative take on how to engage problems of violence and addiction." - Winnipeg Free Press

"The poet's wit is displayed in some of his titles: 'When a Good Man Turns Gunman,' 'Arms and the Man,' 'Pop, Pop, Pop: The Sound of Violence,' and 'The Trouble with Tasers.' Poetic wit, combined with the psychiatrist's wisdom, constantly engages the reader on subjects vital to personal and societal health." - Prairie Fire Magazine